AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ALL SCHNUCKS PHARMACY TECHNICIANS
Today, Schnucks officially notified UFCW Local 655 and Local 881 of their intention to sell their entire pharmacy operation to CVS.
We have reached out to representatives at CVS and we are working to schedule meetings as soon as possible to discuss the next steps in this process. It is our understanding that the Schnucks pharmacies will begin converting to CVS this month, 8 stores at a time. Prior to that conversion process, it is my understanding that CVS will be offering all Schnucks pharmacy employees the opportunity to apply. The interview process with CVS will begin the week of March 23.
I am sorry you are going through this; I do understand the turmoil you are going through and how nerve-wracking things like this can be. My number one priority is retaining your good union job and minimizing the impact of this sale on your life. In order to preserve your good union contract, you have to apply to remain employed under CVS. Under the law, if CVS retains a majority of our Schnucks Pharmacy Technicians as employees, they are required to recognize your Union (Local 655) and bargain with us for your wages and benefits, etc.
We strongly urge our partners who want to continue working under a good union contract to apply to work at CVS when their store is converted in the coming weeks and months.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact your union representative, or contact your union hall any time at 636-394-6500.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
“What is CVS buying?”
– This is an asset sale. Meaning CVS is purchasing the entire pharmacy operation from top to bottom.
“Will I still have a union?”
– If a majority of employees are hired by the purchasing employer (CVS) then they have a legal obligation to recognize their existing union (Local 655) and bargain with us. This is why it is absolutely critical that all Schnucks Pharmacy Technicians apply with CVS. If a majority of the existing technicians are not hired, the remaining technicians will have no union representation, which means they are employees at will and CVS can pay them what ever they want and terminate them for any reason, or no reason
“Do I still have a union right now?”
– Schnucks will begin converting to CVS pharmacies in 8-store blocks. Until your store is converted, you are still an employee of Schnucks with all the rights and benefits under your union contract.
“When will my store be converted?”
– The first store conversions slated for April 19 have been delayed for at least one month as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. We will provide you with an update once we have confirmed when they will begin.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions from Schnucks, please click here:
